Passion for Community

As a former Colorado State Representative, I am passionate about helping others. Over the course of my professional career, I have endeavored to stay involved in a variety of community organizations. To this end, I utilize my unique background to undertake numerous leadership and advisory positions around my community. You can find out more information about some of the organizations I have been involved in below. Original Aurora Renewal (auroragov.org) – Original Aurora Renewal (OAR) is a program designed to empower and strengthen the community of Aurora. OAR provides a number of valuable resources, including guides for ESL, GED, and adult education classes; tools for minor home repairs; and volunteer opportunities. New Era Colorado (neweracolorado.org) – New Era Colorado is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting youth with current politics. Specifically, New Era Colorado seeks to overturn the stereotype that young people are apathetic through a number of programs and events designed to strengthen youth leadership in Colorado. Common Good Colorado (commongood.org) – Founded in 2002, Common Good Colorado is committed to restoring common sense to America by engaging with political leaders and raising awareness for reform in health care, education, and civil justice. Aurora Education Foundation (apscms.net) – The Aurora Education Foundation, known today as the Aurora Public Schools Education Foundation (APSEF), has raised nearly $1 million since its inception in 1987. APSEF’s efforts have provided a number of grants, scholarships, and projects for the teachers, students, and schools of the Aurora Public School district. 

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)

After earning a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arizona, I was awarded a fellowships from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), which allowed me to intern with United States Representative Solomon P. Ortiz. Helping Congressman Ortiz represent the 27th Congressional district of Texas, I facilitated communication between legislators, researched a wide range of policy issues, and authored formal recommendations for key votes. My tenure on Congressman Ortiz was a formative part of my career and greatly informed my time serving in the Colorado House of Representatives. I am eternally grateful to the CHCI for providing me with such a significant opportunity. The CHCI is a nonprofit and nonpartisan leadership development organization for those of Hispanic descent. Through its efforts to promote higher education, provide important career development opportunities, and develop leadership skills, the CHCI hopes to foster new generations of Hispanic leaders. Five Hispanic members of Congress established the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in 1976 in order to effectively keep track of government efforts that affect Hispanics and ensure that all legislative, executive, and judicial actions met the needs of the Hispanic community. The nonprofit service-oriented educational institute associated with the Caucus was established two years later. By the mid-1980s, the Institute had expanded its reach beyond Congress to include important Hispanic business professionals and community leaders to bring new resources and expertise into the programs being developed to promote leadership within the national Hispanic community. Today, the CHCI continues to provide talented young Hispanics with incredible opportunities and resources to prepare them for leadership roles in government as well as an array of various professional fields.

About Michael Garcia!

Since 2008, Michael Garcia has served as the Special Projects Manager of Metro Community Provider Network (MCPN) in Englewood, Colorado. In this position, Michael Garcia launched a health advocacy program to promote the work of MCPN, which provides health care services to area residents who are uninsured or medically underserved. Michael Garcia is responsible for mobilizing grassroots efforts to address public policy matters that affect the health care system, physicians, hospitals, and community partners. MCPN is the largest primary health care provider for patients without medical insurance in Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties, the City of Aurora, and the Bailey area. As the Special Projects Manager of MCPN, Michael Garcia also manages the Specialty Referral Network, which coordinates specialty care services for patients of MCPN. Additionally, Michael Garcia directs the MCPN Advocacy Network, which offers volunteer advocates from the community the opportunity to inform their elected officials about important health care issues. An alumnus of the University of Colorado, Michael Garcia received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1996. Two years later, Michael Garcia earned a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arizona. Michael Garcia has gained extensive experience working in public policy, both with congress and as an advocate. Upon receiving his MA, Michael Garcia went to work for Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz for two years. In this position, Michael Garcia conducted research on and in-depth analysis of pending legislation and served as a liaison between the U.S. House of Representative committee and the leadership staff regarding legislation. Beginning in 2001, Michael Garcia served as a State Representative of Colorado for eight consecutive years. Michael Garcia operated as Assistant Majority Leader to the 65th General Assembly and the 66th General Assembly. Over the years, Michael Garcia’s political activism and advocacy work have garnered him numerous awards and accolades. The Colorado Democratic Party honored Garcia with the “Rising Star” award, and the Colorado Public Trustees Association selected Michael Garcia as the “Legislator of the Year.”